DICOM PS3.17 2024d - Explanatory Information

CCCCC.3 Comparison to Surface Segmentation IOD

DICOM defines another method of specifying surfaces, the Surface Segmentation IOD and SOP Class. Surface Segmentation and Height Map Segmentation are designed for different use cases. Surface Segmentation provides a capability for representing a broad variety of surfaces within a volume. Height Map Segmentation supports a more limited capability with a simpler data structure and a significantly smaller data set. The more limited capabilities of Height Map Segmentation allow a simpler implementation, especially for receiving applications.

Surface Segmentation allows arbitrarily folded surfaces, while Height Map Segmentation allows one height position for each point on the baseline plane. Surface Segmentation specifies surfaces within a volumetric Frame of Reference, while Height Map Segmentation is aligned to the voxel matrix of a reference image. Surface Segmentation requires three 32-bit values for the (X,Y,Z) coordinates for each surface point, while Height Map Segmentation requires only one 32-bit value, as the (X,Y) positions are defined by the reference image voxel matrix.

DICOM PS3.17 2024d - Explanatory Information